New Do

Cameron got his hair cut probably two weeks ago. Today he asked for another haircut. He said he wanted to get it cut short... It is a different look for him. His sides and back are short, but the top is a little longer and kind of spikey. Here's a good shot of that beautiful brace-less smile also!

Comparing schools

Both Beloit and Knox have a student:prof ratio of about 12:1. Each college has both international and domestic study programs. Both colleges offer over 100 organizations and encourage the creation of new organizations. Both colleges support the community with service projects and expect their students to participate. Each of these colleges challenges their students to question their professors and converse/debate in an intellectual and respectul manner. Tuition for the colleges is about the same. Beloit offers a FYI (First Year Initiative) program. The incoming new students are divided into groups of about 15 students. The professor for this class is also their academic advisor. It seems like a great way to encourage, guide, and assist students with breaking into college life and study habits. Their sophmore program encourages students to take a wide variety of classes. They encourage students to mix it up with taking Physics and Theater together or taking Calculus and Music. A Beloit student can double-major in Political Science and Dance. Academics are customized and not pre-determined by the administration. Knox has an open class, multi-discpline policy also. Larger colleges expect that their students will focus in one direction only. These colleges encourage their students to diversify their studies. It is really refreshing compared to traditional college education. The freedom to choose is perfect for Christopher. He will be a student that takes Chemistry and Astronomy along with Art and Music.

From Beloit, he could take a bus to O'Hare airport, take a city train or bus to Union Station, and then take the Amtrak to Waterloo (just north of Fort Wayne). Galesburg has an Amtrak station in town. He could take the train from Galesburg to Chicago and then to Waterloo.

He has visited Ball State University and does not appreciate the focus on fraternity life. Beloit and Knox each have fraternities, but Greek life is not as dominant as it is on larger campuses. He has visited Kalamazoo College only on a brief basis taking Zeke's cousin back up to school. He visited both Hiram and The College of Wooster. I did not go with him on these tours, so I can't offer any details. All I have on those schools is the Hiram's campus felt more comfortable, but Wooster's academics seemed more challenging. I want to take him to Earlham for a visit. Maybe we can do that in December on a Saturday.

I think the decision will boil down to who accepts him and what they offer in scholarships. It's up to him now. Interviews at Beloit and Knox went well. Now he has to write his essay and submit the applications. After these steps are complete... we wait.

November 10, 2009

We visited Knox College on Tuesday the 10th. This is also a nice campus, but I did not have the immediate warmth that I got at Beloit. After the tour and talking to students, I got the warmth that I was looking for. It was really the students that emanated the feeling I was hoping to find. Every student that I spoke with is passionate about Knox College. They appreciate the history of the campus, the small class size, they respect the faculty, and they REALLY like the 3 & 3 program. The school year is divided into 3 terms and each student takes 3 classes per term. EVERY student that I talked to appreciated this format. They were able to truly focus on the class and learn. When students take 5 or 6 classes they end up focusing on which project is due for which class and and study enough to pass the exams. I don't know if Pher understands the benefits of this format. He just wants to break out of high school and learn at an advanced level.
The capmus was the location of the Lincoln-Douglas presidential debate in 1858.The building that has these plaques also houses a chair in which Lincoln sat. We were all invited to sit in it. Zeke seemed to absorb the most history through his fanny.
The architecture is a blend of old and new. The library was great. They have a 3-story, climate controlled library with rare books, journals, and maps. I would be afraid to touch these priceless treasures. The boys would have immediately started exploring the shelves if our guide would have granted them permission.The campus has a bike share program. Bikes can be checked out of the Bike Shed and students use them to get around campus and Galesburg.Anyone who knows Christopher well knows that he is prefers curves and arches to right angles. He says they are more comfortable. Right angles are abrupt. This is the inside of the Admissions Building.The brick wall to the right is curved and encloses the theater. The theater is designed for "Theater in the Round" performances. The white wall straight ahead is actually part of a large circle that showcases art created by the students. Look up. You see the circle lights. They were very interesting.

November 8-9, 2009

We left at 1:00 Sunday afternoon and headed for Beloit, WI. On the way, I realized that I have never been to Wisconsin before. The campus of Beloit College was within walking distance to the Illinois state line, but I made it to WI for the first time in my 43 years of living!

The campus of Beloit College is beautiful. I felt a comfort similar to that of when I drive through the gate of Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College. It is a peaceful, quiet, contemplative campus.The campus has art sporadically placed throughout the grounds.
Gazebo for one Anarchist, Emma Goldman. I can see Pher sitting in there and reading or thinking.Some sort of cool looking bird sculpture.Indian mounds that cover treasures. The college has hosted archaeological digs, but the mounds are now protected. Artifacts are displayed in the Logan Museum on campus.Beautiful architecture also reminded me of SMWC.The campus has beautiful old buildings and it also has an impressive brand new LEED certified (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Science Building. If accepted, I see Pher spending much time in this building.The picure above shows an outdoor study area. On nice days a class may choose to meet outside in the circle and surrounding benches. The landscaping allows rain water to run off the hill and water marsh-friendly plant-life at the bottom of the hill and built into the wooden patio. One of the best things about this college is a statement made by the Director of Admissions during his Sunday night talk. He was giving a synopsis of what type of student thrives at Beloit College. He stated that a student that, "Enjoys challenging teachers...is the right student for Beloit College." We all know and love Pher for his ability to debate and challenge. OK... maybe I don't "love" that so much, but I sure do respect his ability to stand up for what he believes to be true. I'm grateful that Beloit embraces this type of student. Carroll High School discourages and squashes any kind of intellectual debate. I think that's one reason he is on their radar and frequently targeted as a "trouble-maker."
I'm too tired tonight tp post about Knox College. Sorry to leave you hanging, but it will have to wait until Saturday. Todd and I have plans for Friday night. I won't have the time or energy to post by the time we will get home on Friday. One disadvantage of aging is the lethargy that is setting in.

On the road

Didn't get to posting on Saturday. I will try again soon. Promise. Right now we are getting ready to hit the road. Beloit College and then Knox College. Please wish me luck!

Too tired to post

It took all of my energy to gather all of those photos for the new header. Holy cow! We have much to be thankful for. I'll post more on Saturday. Friday night at 9:39 and I am going to bed!

Wooster, Hiram, Beloit, Knox...

The evening of Thursday the 29th Pher, his friend Zeke, and Zeke's dad took off for Wooster, Ohio. This was an overnight visit at The College of Wooster. Friday the 30th they spent on campus. Friday evening they went to Hiram, OH to visit Hiram College's campus on the 31st.

I was looking forward to talking to him about the visits. What did he think of the colleges? How about their academics? Social life? Surrounding area? Saturday night Pher and Zeke blew in just fast enough to grab a guitar amp. I asked them each separately what their impressions were. Pher liked both of the colleges. Seemed more impressed with Wooster. That was all I got from him. He was on a musical mission and didn't have time to answer questions.

Zeke was trapped in the car and gave up more information. He also liked both colleges. He did not like the idea of the writing intense first year at Wooster. This school puts their freshman into groups of about 15 students. They all take a writing intensive class together and their professor is their academic advisor. He thought it would be a good idea to go to Hiram for freshman year and then transfer to Wooster. HUH? I pointed out the obvious. IF a student does not attend the writing class at Wooster, the student will not have the necessary insight as to the writing and research expectations of the professors. IF the student does not participate in the class designed specifically to develop the research and writing skills that the college expects, the student is setting himself up for what will be a challenging remaing 3 years of college. I think he got it after I spelled it out. He is a really bright young man. Sometimes I think that boys/men just don't think things through.

On Sunday the 8th, Pher, Zeke, Zeke's mom, and I all leave for Beloit, WI. The boys will be spending the night on campus at Beloit College on Sunday. Monday will be a day to explore campus, have an admissions interview, and hopefully sit in on a class. After we are done at Beloit, we will be heading to Galesburg, IL to visit Knox College. Zeke's mom and I are along for the ride and to offer as much guidance as our sons will accept. Wish us luck!